Do we begin again. Rev., are we beginning. As if anticipating, the taunt so often repeated, that he had no commendatory letters, and therefore was forced to commend himself by self - laudation and by dishonest means. See ch. 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 10:12. You will say, "You are beginning ag... [ Continue Reading ]
Our epistle. The figure which follows is freely and somewhat loosely worked out, and presents different faces in rapid succession. The figure itself is that of a commendatory letter representing the Corinthian Church : "Ye are our letter." This figure is carried out in three directions : 1. As rela... [ Continue Reading ]
An epistle of Christ ministered by us [ε π ι σ τ ο λ η χ ρ ι σ τ ο υ δ ι α κ ο ν η θ ε ι σ α υ φ η μ ω ν]. An epistle written by Christ through our ministry; that is, you, as the converted subjects of our ministry, are an epistle of Christ. Others explain : an epistle of which Christ forms the conte... [ Continue Reading ]
Confidence. In the fact that he may appeal to them, notwithstanding their weaknesses and errors. Through Christ to God - ward [δ ι α τ ο υ χ ρ ι σ τ ο υ π ρ ο ς τ ο ν θ ε ο ν]. Through Christ who engenders the confidence, toward God, with reference to God who gives us success, and to whom we must a... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath made us able ministers [ι κ α ν ω σ ε ν η μ α ς δ ι α κ ο ν ο υ ς]. An unfortunate translation, especially in view of the conventional sense of able. The verb iJkanow from iJkanov sufficient (see on Romans 14:23), means to make sufficient or fit. It occurs only here and Colossians 1:12. The cor... [ Continue Reading ]
The ministration of death [η δ ι α κ ο ν ι α τ ο υ θ α ν α τ ο υ]. Because it is the ministry of the letter which killeth. The law meant death to the sinner. Written and engraven in stones [ε ν γ ρ α μ μ α σ ι ν ε ν τ ε τ υ π ω μ ε ν η λ ι θ ο ι ς]. Lit., engraven on stones by means of letters. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Glorious [ε ν δ ο ξ η]. As in ver. 7, with glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ministration of condemnation. Because Moses was the minister of the law. For the relation of the law to sin and condemnation, see Romans 5:20; Romans 7:7-13.... [ Continue Reading ]
That which was made glorious had no glory in this respect [ο υ δ ε δ ο ξ α σ τ α ι τ ο δ ε δ ο ξ α σ μ ε ν ο ν ε ν τ ο υ τ ω τ ω μ ε ρ ε ι]. Rev., that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious. The peculiar form of expression is taken from Exodus 34:29; Exodus 34:35, Sept., "Moses k... [ Continue Reading ]
That which is done away [τ ο κ α τ α ρ γ ο υ μ ε ν ο ν]. Lit., which is being done away; in course of abolition through the preaching of the Gospel. Both the A. V., and Rev. passeth fail to bring, out the idea of process. Was glorious [δ ι α δ ο ξ η ς]. Lit., through glory. Rev., with glory. 142... [ Continue Reading ]
Plainness [π α ρ ρ η σ ι α,]. Rev., boldness. See on openly, John 7:13; confidence, 1 John 2:28; freely, Acts 2:29. The contrast is with the dissembling with which his adversaries charged him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Could not steadfastly look. Rev., should not. See Exodus 34:30-35, where the A. V., by the use of till, gives the wrong impression that Moses wore the veil while speaking to the people, in order to hide the glory of his face. The true sense of the Hebrew is given by the Sept. : "When he ceased speak... [ Continue Reading ]
Minds [ν ο η μ α τ α]. Originally, things which proceed out of the mind. Compare hearts and minds, Philippians 4:7, and devices, 2 Corinthians 2:11. Hence, derivatively, the minds themselves. The word occurs but once outside of this epistle, Philippians 4:7. Some render here thoughts. So Rev., in ma... [ Continue Reading ]
It shall turn. The heart of Israel. Shall be taken away [π ε ρ ι α ι ρ ε ι τ α ι]. Rev., correctly, is taken away. The verb occurs twice in Acts (xxvii. 20, 40) of the taking away of hope, and of the unfastening of the anchors in Paul's shipwreck; and in Hebrews 10:11, of the taking away of sins. T... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the Lord is that Spirit. Kuriov the Lord is used in Exodus 34:34 for Jehovah. The Lord Christ of ver. 16 is the Spirit who pervades and animates the new covenant of which we are ministers (ver. 6), and the ministration of which is with glory (ver. 8). Compare Romans 8:9-11; John 14:16; John 14:1... [ Continue Reading ]
All. Contrasted with Moses as the sole representative of the people. Open [α ν α κ ε κ α λ υ μ μ ε ν ω]. Rev., correctly, unveiled, as Moses when the veil was removed. "Vainly they tried the deeps to sound E'en of their own prophetic thought, When of Christ crucified and crown 'd His Spirit in them... [ Continue Reading ]